Illinois flunks new nationwide fiscal report card

By Vincent Caruso

11/15/2017

The Land of Lincoln received the lowest possible grade in budget forecasting and legacy costs.

TAGS: budget, credit rating, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, pensions, transparency, unions

Rahm wants to squeeze Chicago eateries for higher permit fees, 2018 budget shows

By Vincent Caruso

11/13/2017

Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s budget proposal includes jacked-up costs for business licenses and stricter noncompliance penalties.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago City Council, fees, Rahm Emanuel, taxes

Chicago ordinance would require fiscal impact analysis before City Council votes

By Vincent Caruso

11/09/2017

A proposal co-sponsored by 32 aldermen would mandate the fiscal consequences of ordinances be made transparent.

TAGS: Brendan Reilly, Chicago, Chicago City Council

Rahm’s new budget packed with fee hikes and false hope

By Chris Lentino

10/19/2017

In his annual budget address, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel painted a rosy picture about city finances while selling more tax and fee increases.

TAGS: amusement tax, budget, Chicago, Rahm Emanuel, taxes, TIF: Tax Increment Financing

Chicago aldermen fail to attend committee meetings nearly half the time

By Chris Lentino

08/22/2017

Committee meetings are a critical step in the legislative process, yet aldermen skip them almost half the time.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago City Council, Rahm Emanuel

Rahm denies Cubs night game request, continues long-standing city feud

07/28/2017

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has emphatically denied the Cubs’ request for more night games at Wrigley Field – continuing the decades-old hostile relationship between the team and city government.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago Cubs, Rahm Emanuel, regulations

With district spending up, CPS schools still face cuts amid shrinking enrollment

By Robert Brutvan

07/26/2017

CPS’ 2017-18 budget shows cuts for many schools as student populations shrink, despite an increase in per-pupil spending for the district as a whole.

TAGS: budget, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, education, Senate Bill 1

Chicago to reach $38M settlement over red-light camera tickets

By John Kristof

07/20/2017

The proposed settlement would cost Chicago $38.75 million, with $26.75 being paid out in refunds and $12 million written off for those who never paid their tickets.

TAGS: Chicago, red light cameras

Chicago prepares for yet another telephone tax hike

By Chris Lentino

06/02/2017

Chicagoans already pay the highest in the nation 911 surcharge and a newly passed bill would raise that rate even higher.

TAGS: cell phone tax, Chicago, Rahm Emanuel, wireless tax

Expanding aldermanic power spells disaster for Chicago businesses

By Chris Lentino

05/04/2017

Since Mayor Rahm Emanuel took office in 2011, aldermen have been on the defensive regarding their power. The latest attempt to retain some of that power is taking place along a stretch of 71st Street in the 5th Ward.

TAGS: Chicago, Leslie Hairston, zoning

Municipal council

Illinois flunks new nationwide fiscal report card

Rahm wants to squeeze Chicago eateries for higher permit fees, 2018 budget shows

Chicago ordinance would require fiscal impact analysis before City Council votes

Rahm’s new budget packed with fee hikes and false hope

Chicago aldermen fail to attend committee meetings nearly half the time

Rahm denies Cubs night game request, continues long-standing city feud

With district spending up, CPS schools still face cuts amid shrinking enrollment

Chicago to reach $38M settlement over red-light camera tickets

Chicago prepares for yet another telephone tax hike

Expanding aldermanic power spells disaster for Chicago businesses

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students